Aston, PA — Sister Catherine Jaskolski (formerly Sister John Pelagia), OSF, died in Assisi House on March 26. She was ninety-one years of age and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for sixty-eight years. Catherine Loretta Jaskolski was born in Camden, New Jersey, and was a member of Sacred Heart Parish, where she attended the parish school. Prior to her entrance into the congregation, she had worked as a clerk and time-keeper at the Campbell Soup Company. In 1937 she entered the Sisters of St. Francis where her sister, Sister Anna Rose Jaskolski (now deceased) was also a member, and there she completed her high school education. Sister Catherine ministered primarily in domestic work as a cook and housekeeper in the convents where she lived, as well as a hospital and an orphanage. In later years she ministered with the elderly. Sister Catherine enjoyed crocheting, art, reading, and doing crossword puzzles.
Sister Catherine’s many years of ministry both began and ended in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. As a young novice she ministered at St. Elizabeth Convent (1937-1938). After her retirement she moved to Assisi House in Aston where she ministered in prayer ministry until her death (2000-2006).
Sister Catherine also ministered in the Diocese of Fall River, caring for and cooking for the children at St. Mary Home in New Bedford, Massachusetts (1939-1942).
Sister Catherine served for thirty-two years in the Diocese of Trenton. From 1942-1946 she ministered at Holy Angels Convent. From 1972-1996 she served at Morris Hall in Lawrenceville, first as Director of Activities and later in pastoral ministry, visiting and bringing Communion to the elderly residents. In 1996 she returned to Holy Angels Convent and remained there until 2000.
Sister Catherine’s thirteen years of ministry in the Archdiocese of Washington included working at Our Lady of Angels House of Study at Catholic University of America (1959-1972).
Sister Catherine also ministered for seven years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, where, from 1952-1959, she supervised the main kitchen at St. Joseph Hospital, then located on Caroline Street. She also ministered at St. Joseph Convent in the Diocese of Harrisburg from 1946-1952.
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Wednesday, March 29. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M followed by viewing. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister is survived by three sisters, Margaret Soule and Theresa Jaskolski, both of Camden, and Loretta Smyth of Pennsauken, New Jersey; two brothers, John of Defiance, Ohio, and Edward of Maple Shade, New Jersey; many nieces and nephews; and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
